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Michigan State at Michigan: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Tristan Freeman

Dec 29, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Gabe Brown (44) reacts after making a three-point basket in the second half against the High Point University Panthers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Gabe Brown (44) reacts after making a three-point basket in the second half against the High Point University Panthers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /
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Heated rivals Michigan and Michigan State face off with a ton on the line. Can the Wolverines pull off the home upset to build its resume?

TV schedule: Saturday, January 8th, 2:30 pm ET. FOX

Arena: Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Coming into the 2021-22 college basketball season, Big Ten programs Michigan and Michigan State had different expectations. The Wolverines were a preseason top-5 team in the country and had the No. 1 overall incoming recruiting class, as well as a returning All-American big man in Hunter Dickinson. On the other hand, the Spartans were either barely ranked or unranked altogether, looking to rebound from an off-year by their annual lofty standards.

Yet things have looked the complete opposite two months later both programs. It’s Michigan (7-6, 1-2) that is unranked and struggling mightily, coming off an eight-point loss at Rutgers. Leading scorer Dickinson had another strong individual game with a game-high 25 points on 10/16 shooting. Moussa Diabate had 15 points and nine rebounds, while both Caleb Houstan and Eli Brooks were in double figures. The issue was more on defense, giving up 11 made three-pointers and a combined 27 points to Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr.

After losing 3 of 4 and with a resume that’s nowhere near the NCAA Tournament, it’s very important that Michigan pulls off an upset over top-15 ranked Michigan State (13-2, 4-0) on Saturday. The Spartans have won eight straight games and only have lost to Baylor and Kansas all season.

The team in Green doesn’t have a superstar like Dickinson but leading scorer Gabe Brown (14.5 ppg) has been the closest for them. In this week’s 12-point victory over Nebraska, Brown had 14 points, four rebounds, and four steals. But it was freshman Max Christie with a game-high 21 points to lead the way.

Michigan State uses its collective rotation to overwhelm opponents on both ends, including in the frontcourt. Starting big man Marcus Bingham (10.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg) will be guarding Dickinson throughout this game and will try to make him work for it. The Wolverines need a big game from its star if they’re to have any chance, while also needing the Spartan guards to not have a great shooting game.

This also will be a battle of transfer point guards in Tyson Walker of Michigan State and Devante Jones of Michigan. Neither has been the scorers many expected to be but they’re both solid passers and can impact the game in other ways. But considering the supporting casts, the Wolverines will need Jones much more than the Spartans need Walker in this one, although if either breaks out, that respective team will have a great shot in this one.

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The Wolverines are extremely desperate and have their backs against the wall and being at home, should give them a real chance at getting a victory. But the rivals from East Lansing know that and would love to keep them out of NCAA Tournament contention. Nothing has shown that the home team is capable of getting a win like this so I’ll be picking the Spartans in what should be a close one throughout.

Prediction: Michigan State 74, Michigan 67

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